There are a few Clear Pond's in the
Adirondacks. This one is located in the 46,283
acre Pharaoh Lake Wilderness in the East-Central Adirondacks. It is
a pretty secluded pond with a perfectly located lean to.
Most hikers use Putnam Pond State Campgroundas the main base
to reach Clear Pond. There are three different routes from the
campground to reach Clear Pond, with one route requiring a kayak or
boat. Look below for information on all three routes to this scenic
destination in the east central Adirondacks.

Clear Pond via Rock Pond

The longest route is from the
northern campground trailhead. From the northern campground trailhead, follow the yellow marked trail. The GPS
coordinated of the start of the trail is N43 50.750 W73 34.234 for
those who have a GPS. Don't have a GPS for out on the trail? Then check out the Garmin eTrex 30x.
The name of the trail you are taking is known as the Clear Pond
Trail. There is a DEC Trail Mileage Sign at the trailhead that lets you know
it is 1.6 miles to Rock Pond. This is the trail you want. Before heading out make sure you are
fully prepared for a day in the wilderness or in case you find
yourself lost. This route is 2.7 miles one way to Clear Pond.

Almost immediately you'll
reach a DEC Trail Register. Be sure to sign the register, just in
case. It could save your life if you get lost. The trail is well
defined and easy to follow. At 0.3 miles you'll reach a trail
junction. The blue marked trail goes straight 1.2 miles to Bear Pond
and 2.7 miles to Rock Pond. Turn left here and cross a small stream
on a foot bridge, following the yellow marked trail. The trail
climbs as you get above Heart Pond, which is on your right. There is
an unmarked herd path that takes you eventually down to Heart Pond
at around the 0.4 mile mark.

Continuing on the yellow trail the trail will
veer as you make your way to North Pond, which is actually the
northern part of Putnam Pond. At 0.6 miles from the trailhead the
yellow marked trail begins to descend toward North Pond. There are
herd paths that lead to the edge of the pond. At 1.0 miles reach a
trail junction. The trail on the left travels a couple hundred feet
to the shore of North Pond at a canoe landing site. Turn right here
continuing to follow the yellow marked trail. The trail climbs as
you travel away from North Pond.

Soon after starting to descend a bit you'll
reach another trail junction at 1.25 miles. The trail on the right
is the Rock Pond Spur Trail. This is an alternative way to get to
Rock Pond, however you'll bypass Little Rock Pond. Go left and continue following the
yellow marked trail. Soon you'll pass a rather large water area on
your left as the trail barely avoids this wet area. At 1.5 miles you'll
reach Little Rock Pond. This is a great spot to relax, picnic or
just ponder the beauty. The Little Rock Pond Lean To is located up
on the hill, within the trees with no view of the pond. Most hikers
miss this lean to, making it a seldom visited lean to.

Rock Pond is a just another 0.1 miles
continuing on the yellow marked trail. At the next trail junction,
the yellow marked Clear Pond Trail turns right and soon crosses the
pond connector on a bridge. If you
turn right at that junction you'll soon reach Rock Pond Lean To as well as Rock Pond. There is a
trail that goes 2.0 miles around Rock Pond. Back on the Clear Pond
Trail, reach the junction of the Rock Pond Loop Trail at 1.7 miles.
After this junction the trail gains over 200 feet in elevation over
the next 0.4 miles. At 2.2 miles reach the Clear Pond Loop Trail
junction. The main trail veers left and travels on the eastern side
of the pond. Take the main trail.

At 2.7 miles you will reach the Clear Pond
Lean To just passed the junction of the boat landing trail from
Putnam Pond. There is a nice spot right up on the shore of the pond
near the lean to. You can see the pond from the lean to. This pond
has a bit less visitors than Rock Pond or Heart Pond.

Clear Pond via Grizzle Ocean Trail

This is the shorter hiking route to Clear
Pond at 2.0 miles one way to the pond. You'll find the trailhead for
the start of this hike to Clear Pond at the boat trailer parking
area at Putnam Pond State Campground. The GPS coordinates of the
parking area is N43 50.240 W73 34.295 for those who have a GPS
devise. Don't have a GPS for out
on the trail? Then check out the Garmin eTrex 30x.
The trail leaves the west side of the parking area and crosses a
couple of bridges. At 0.4 miles the trail climbs and eventual
descends to cross an inlet to Putnam Pond on a nice bridge at 0.8
miles.

At 1.4 miles, cross a brook on a nice bridge,
then reach the junction of the Clear Pond Trail on your right. Turn
right onto the Clear Pond Trail. At 1.7 miles reach the junction of
the Treadway Mountain Trail on your left, which travels 2.3 miles to
the summit of Treadway Mountain with its open summit and spectacular
views. Continue on the Clear Pond Trail and soon pass Mud Pond on
your left. At 1.9 miles reach the junction of western part of the
Clear Pond Loop Trail. You'll reach the Clear Pond Lean To at 2.0
miles.

Clear Pond via Kayak on Putnam Pond

The shortest route to reach Clear Pond
requires on to use a kayak on Putnam Pond from the boat launch near
the parking area from the hike just above. It is about a 0.5 mile
paddle due almost due west from where you put in your kayak to the
landing on the other side of Putnam Pond. You will need to portage
at the boat landing at GPS coordinates N43 50.282 W73 34.997 and
hike 0.6 miles to the lean to.

Look below for a map,
video and some
pictures. You can get more info on hiking in this area with trail maps of the Adirondacks from Adirondack Park Bundle- Trails Illustrated Map
or from some of the books below. Be sure you are fully prepared
before you head out on an adventure in this wilderness area.